Home insurance comparison for tenants in Belgium
Comparison of home insurance for tenants in Belgium: premiums, coverage, excess, reviews. How to choose the best policy for your situation.
The criteria to compare
Not all home insurance policies are equal. For a tenant in Belgium, here are the determining criteria:
- Annual premium: ranges from EUR 90 to EUR 300 depending on guarantees
- Excess: from EUR 150 to EUR 1,000 per claim (see our guide on the excess)
- Contents cover: maximum insured value for your personal belongings
- Exclusions: flooding, gross negligence, professional activity
- Civil liability cap: maximum amount covered for third-party damage
- Assistance: emergency rehousing, repairs, legal assistance
- Settlement time: average time between declaration and payment
Before comparing, assess your real needs. A student studio does not have the same needs as a 3-bedroom family apartment.
Comparison by tenant profile
Studio / 1 bedroom (area below 50 m2)
| Criterion | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | EUR 90-120 | EUR 130-170 | EUR 180-250 |
| Excess | EUR 500 | EUR 250 | EUR 150 |
| Contents cover | EUR 15,000 | EUR 30,000 | EUR 50,000 |
| Personal liability | EUR 5,000,000 | EUR 5,000,000 | EUR 10,000,000 |
| Rehousing | No | 30 days | 90 days |
2-3 bedroom apartment (50-90 m2)
| Criterion | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | EUR 130-170 | EUR 180-230 | EUR 250-350 |
| Excess | EUR 500 | EUR 300 | EUR 150 |
| Contents cover | EUR 25,000 | EUR 50,000 | EUR 100,000 |
| Personal liability | EUR 5,000,000 | EUR 10,000,000 | EUR 15,000,000 |
| Rehousing | No | 30 days | 180 days |
For the majority of tenants, the Standard formula offers the best balance. The Premium formula is only justified if you own valuable items (artworks, musical instruments, high-end electronics).
Traps to avoid
Under-insuring contents
Undervaluing your belongings to pay less is a false economy. In case of a claim, the insurer applies the proportional rule: if you declared EUR 20,000 in contents when you actually have EUR 40,000, the compensation is halved.
Water damage exclusion
Some “budget” policies exclude water damage or only cover fire. Yet water damage is the most frequent claim in Belgium.
Hidden excess
Check whether there is a specific excess per type of claim. Some policies apply an excess of EUR 250 for fire but EUR 1,000 for theft.
Uninhabited clause
Many policies suspend theft cover if the property is unoccupied for more than 60 consecutive days (extended holidays, hospitalisation).
How to choose in 5 steps
- List your needs: area, contents value, specific risks (ground floor, old building)
- Request 3 to 4 quotes: online or by phone from different insurers
- Compare the general conditions: not just the price, but exclusions and caps
- Check the excess: it weighs more than the premium in case of a claim
- Subscribe before signing the lease: the landlord will ask for the certificate
When creating your lease online, an automatic reminder invites you to finalise your insurance. For an overview, consult our guide on tenant home insurance or our page on rental insurance in Belgium.